Social mobility refers to the ability of individuals or families to move up or down the socio-economic ladder, based on factors like income, education, occupation and family background. “Upward mobility” is the term for moving up the ladder and “downward mobility” is the term for moving down the ladder.

Children from two-parent families generally have higher levels of education and earnings. When both parents are actively involved in their child’s development, it increases the stability and opportunities their children have for upward social mobility. Children in single parent households are less likely to attend college than children raised in two-parent households.

Parental involvement, particularly in educational activities, is a key factor that influences a child’s academic success and future social mobility. Involvement such as volunteering at their children’s school, discussing school subjects at home and attending open houses and teacher conferences play a large role in a child’s academic success.

Those who achieve a bachelor’s degree earn 68% more , and have a lower unemployment rate than those who receive no college degree. Because children are more likely to attend college and remain in college if they were raised in a two-parent, involved household, they are less likely to end up in poor financial situations than children raised in single parent households.

High levels of parental conflict often lead to emotional and behavioral difficulties in children, which can affect academic performance and long-term success. Children who grow up with conflict in their homes are more likely to have poor socioeconomic attainment in adulthood.

When couples move in together without specific plans for their relationship, they increase the risk of their relationship failing. Cohabiting is often viewed as a “trial run” for marriage to see if a couple is compatible. What they don’t realize is that the “trial run” is undermining the relationship they seek to strengthen and test.